Greetings

Today was the opening day for the spring Antiques Extravaganza at 
Renningers Kutztown.  You would THINK that it being the end of April, 
the weather would have been nicer and it usually is.  But not today, 
temps hanging around 40F, wind gusting to 25+ MPH, and SNOW! It flurried 
as the gates opened at 10:00, then there were several events during the 
2 1/2 hrs that I was there, and of course, driving back to the shop.  
Sigh.  But the show must go on, right?

The dealer count was about what it has been for the spring, maybe down 
some from last year.  The show is nothing like it was even 6 or 7 years ago.

The view on the way in.

ht
tp://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/bffiles/2015/kutztown04232015f1.jpg

Couple of shots of the field

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tp://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/bffiles/2015/kutztown04232015f2.jpg

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tp://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/bffiles/2015/kutztown04232015f3.jpg

Pickings weren't strong volume wise but I did get some decent and some 
very collectible tools.

There is a Stanley No. 63 round sole spoke shave, a metal sail maker's 
awl, a pair of socket awls, the one is a Pexto, a combination saw wrest 
and hammer that needs some help, an early hand forged dough scraper, 
early forged tinsmith seamer, a farrier's cinch cutter made from an old 
file or rasp, Stanley 8" bevel square, and a hand forged cordwainer's 
boot peg float.
ht
tp://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/bffiles/2015/kutztown04232015t1.jpg

On the left is a 12" diameter brass protractor (early one too) and an 
Addis No. 3 sweep 1 1/4 inch carving gouge.
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tp://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/bffiles/2015/kutztown04232015t2.jpg

At the top is a burl stone cutter's mallet with lead plugs in the top 
for weight, nicely hand forged fire place trammel chain hook, big early 
hand forged lipped auger measuring 1 5/8" across the blade, and a very 
early hand forged bearded axe, signed and decorated.  That was not the 
cheapest find of the day but it was had at a fair price.
ht
tp://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/bffiles/2015/kutztown04232015t3.jpg

Now comes the real work...yeah right

Tony (more body aches from the cold and wind...lovely eh?)

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Tony,
 
How does one distinguish " a metal sail maker's awl" from other types of metal
awl?
 
Are there distinguishing characteristics? 
 
Is that a setscrew protruding from the side?
 
Yet another thing to add to my coll.... err accumulation of seafarer's tools.
 
John Ruth

The awls in the picture have a point that quickly gets fat - this is for working
between sailcloth fibers and spreading open a hole. Rope awls (fids) are
traditionally wood.  The skinny metal spikes with the little flat at the  ip are
for working wire rope, but they do a good job on fiber rope too.

Ed Minch




On Apr 23, 2015, at 5:14 PM, John Ruth  wrote:

> Tony,
> 
> How does one distinguish " a metal sail maker's awl" from other types of metal
awl?
> 
> Are there distinguishing characteristics? 
> 
> Is that a setscrew protruding from the side?
> 
> Yet another thing to add to my coll.... err accumulation of seafarer's tools.
> 
> John Ruth

On 4/23/2015 5:14 PM, John Ruth wrote:
> Tony,
>
> How does one distinguish " a metal sail maker's awl" from other types 
> of metal awl?
I'm just going on what I've seen similar ones called in the past. This 
isn't that old but it certainly isn't anything recent either.
>
> Are there distinguishing characteristics?
Just being cast iron makes it more useful for going through heavier 
materials, like layers of sailcloth,  than your run of the mill leather 
stitching awl.  The end of the handle is dinged up a bit from being 
struck with a mallet or hammer.

> Is that a setscrew protruding from the side?
Yep and the blade does remove....

> Yet another thing to add to my coll.... err accumulation of seafarer's 
> tools.

Better than collecting cats......at least in my book

Tony (running on fumes at the present.. and NO, not those kind of fumes 
either!)

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